Linda H. Girkin, 77, Charles City

Linda H. Girkin, a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, wife, and friend, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She was 77 years old. Linda will be remembered for the love she poured into her family, the quiet strength she carried through every season of life, and the countless ways she cared for the people around her.

A memorial service for Linda Girkin will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charles City, Iowa with Pastor Norman Bauer officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Sunnyside Memory Gardens in rural Charles City.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the start of the service at the church on Saturday.

Linda Helen (Bahlmann) Girkin was born on July 26, 1949, to Lester and Beth (Beck) Bahlmann. She graduated from Nashua High School in 1967 and began her working life at Lutheran Mutual in Waverly, where she spent 10 years. She later moved to Colorado to be near her sister, Norma. While living there, Linda married Larry Harris, and together they welcomed their daughter, Heather. In 1986, Linda and Larry separated, and Linda moved with Heather to Charles City, Iowa, to be closer to her parents. Linda was working at Bissonette Chevrolet when she met Gary Girkin. Linda and Gary were married on July 19, 1991, and she lovingly became stepmother to Gary’s children: Scott, Rick, and Kim. She later worked at Solvay / Fort Dodge Animal Health for 19 years before retiring in 2012. Linda and Gary also owned and operated their own carpet cleaning business, a reflection of the steady work ethic and determination she brought to everything she did.

At the heart of Linda’s life was her gift for caring. She was the person others could count on—steady, generous, and always willing to help. She worked hard, loved deeply, and made those around her feel looked after in both big and small ways. Linda was a wonderful grandma who treasured time with her grandchildren and found joy in simple moments together. She enjoyed playing cards and board games, reading, watching one of her favorite TV shows, “Days of Our Lives,” and tending to her beautiful yard in the summer. Her home, her time, and her love were gifts she shared freely.

Linda is survived by her husband, Gary Girkin of Charles City, Iowa; children, Heather Byers of Little Falls, Minnesota, Kim (Bill) Snitker of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Scott (Kathy) Girkin of Ionia, Iowa, and Rick (Denise) Girkin of Charles City, Iowa; grandchildren, Arleigha Byers, Callie (Mike) Schiffer, Abbey (Jared) Heitz, Nathan Girkin, Claire Girkin, Brook (Bre) Girkin, Brady (Mary) Girkin, Brice (Reegan) Girkin, Baili (Theodore) Schoneman, and Ben Girkin; multiple great-grandchildren; her siblings, Denny (Sharri) Bahlmann of Johnston, Iowa, and Norma (Ron) Young of Fairfield, Connecticut; and nieces and nephews, Danielle (Erin) Kelaher of Urbandale, IA, Megan Bahlmann of Maquoketa, IA, Drew (Dani) Bahlmann of Sigourney, IA, Derek (Brittany) Bahlmann of Littleton, CO, Alex (Katherine) Young of Silver Lake, CA and Gabi (Jason) Roth of Johnston, CO. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Ron (Kay) Bahlmann.

Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements.  Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.